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At least two people have died as a result of an H3N2 flu outbreak in India, according to the country's health authorities. The virus is dangerous because of the severity of the illness it can cause in young children and elderly.
Medical professionals in India are urging the public to take preventative measures against the flu by using preventative measures, including use of face masks, careful hand washing and vaccination.
Given the ease with which infectious diseases can spread, the current outbreak has attracted attention from people all over the world. Influenza H3N2 "tends to be particularly hard on vulnerable populations," says infectious disease expert and Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security senior scholar Amesh A. Adalja, M.D.
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However, flu season in the United States is coming to a close, with the CDC reporting that seasonal flu activity is low across the country, with H3N2 being the most commonly reported flu strain.
So far this flu season, the CDC reports that there have been at least 26 million cases of the illness, 290,000 hospitalizations and 18,000 deaths.
What is H3N2?
If at all possible, you should stay away from people who have this particular flu strain. However, experts point out that the United States has recently experienced an H3N2 flu season.
According to Penn Medicine, influenza viruses of this strain first circulated among humans in 1968 and has continuously evolved in the decades since then. Anyone can contract this virus, but those who have weaker immune systems are more likely to be affected.
More people die from this virus when cold and flu season predominates, Dr. Adalja said. Although the flu season has ended in the United States, it appears to be reaching its peak in India later than in the States.
Do you need to be worried?
Despite the rapidity with which this particular virus is spreading in India, Dr. Adalja says that it's unlikely that we will see it again this season.
Dr. Adalja notes that "people have immunity because of exposure" from this season. It's also unlikely that this virus will reappear, he said, as the flu season in the United States is winding down.
He also added that H3N2 is included in the seasonal flu vaccine. If you've got the flu shot, you shouldn't get it.
Symptoms of H3N2
Influenza symptoms of this particular virus are typically similar to those of seasonal influenza. Common flu symptoms in adults are as follows:
- fever or feeling feverish
- sore throat
- cough
- muscle or body aches
- runny or stuffy nose
- fatigue
- headaches
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Treatment Options
H3N2 influenza is managed in the same way as seasonal influenza. It can be treated with one of four anti-viral drugs against the flu that have been approved by the FDA:
- Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
- Peramivir (Rapivab)
- Zanamivir (Relenza)
- Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)
How to protect yourself from the flu?
The best time to get vaccinated against the flu (by which time you've probably already been exposed to the virus and the danger has largely passed) is in late fall or early winter.
It's also important to continue following common sense guidelines to prevent the flu, like practicing good hand hygiene (knowing how to wash your hands) and avoiding close contact with people who're coughing and sneezing. Contact your healthcare provider if you suspect that you may be experiencing flu-like symptoms. Fortunately, antiviral treatment is still an option.
It doesn't matter what time of year it is; it's always important to practice proper hand hygiene. To reduce your vulnerability to the wide variety of pathogens, this is something you should be doing all year.
